Orientalism

Author: (British) Sa
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: One of the most authoritative social science textbooks on higher education in Europe and America since the 1990s; jointly recommended by renowned scholars from more than 10 top universities in China. The concept of "Orientalism" concerns the theories and practices through which "the West" represents "the East." This representation has a long history and an inherent logical structure. Sa's book is a of this history and structure. Whileing the history and inherent logical structure of Orientalism, Sa alsos many recent theories and critiques of Orientalism and discusses its deepening and implementation in contemporary Western society. In the article, the author cites numerous derogatory and insulting remarks about the East from the history of Western thought (including absurd and biased misunderstandings of various cultural forms of the East: such as the vilified descriptions of China, India, Islam, etc.). He critically examines these remarks with profound and severe criticism, arguing that these demonizing fantasies about the East reveal the lack of inclusivity and confidence in treating other cultural forms equally within Western civilization. Although many of the quoted texts reflect the absurd, laughable, and even dark aspects of Westerners' understanding of the East, they indeed contain many defamatory and extreme passages. However, since the author's perspective in this book is based on a critique of these texts, these passages are an essential part of the book. Therefore, in addition to editing out individual passages that are overly explicit, obscene, or offensive, we have largely retained their original form. When reading, we must pay attention to these sections and analyze and critique them. In particular, we should refute the demonizing portrayal of the East, which is precisely the most important purpose of this book.